By P.Nalyaka
Pix:TUNADO
As Uganda celebrates World Bee Day, stakeholders have called for renewed efforts to protect the bees from harmful practices that are wiping out the bee population in Uganda.
This year celebrations were tagged on the theme “Bee Together for People and the Planet – A Partnership That Sustains Us All.”
According to the National Apiculture Development Organization (TUNADO) examples of harmful practices that are threatening bee population include continued use of some agro chemicals that kill bees, cutting down trees, clearing anti hills and swamps that are homes and provide food for the bees among others.
According to the Executive director of TUNADO Dickson Biryomumaisho, collaborations among government, farmers, development partners and the private sector, researchers among others could save the bees from the above threats.
In an interview on Wednesday, which was World Bee Day,Biryomumaisho explained that over the years, his organization has continued to champion nature-based beekeeping approaches that combine environmental conservation with economic empowerment.
Examples of such interventions include agroforestry, tree planting, stingless beekeeping, farmer training and pollinator awareness campaigns, thousands of Ugandan households are improving incomes while restoring ecosystems.
He added that in 2025 alone, TUNADO’s extension and awareness programs directly reached over 13,000 people and indirectly benefited more than 83,000 Ugandans through training, environmental sensitization and sustainable apiculture initiatives.
In terms of the country’s GDP, he said that Uganda’s apiculture sector contributes an estimated sh240 billion annually to the economy while supporting rural households with income, nutrition, school fees and employment opportunities.
He added that this year’s celebration should be a reminder that beekeeping is not only an agricultural activity but also a strategic solution for youth employment, women empowerment, climate resilience and biodiversity conservation.
“On this important day, TUNADO encourages every Ugandan to plant bee-friendly trees and flowers, reduce harmful pesticide use, conserve natural ecosystems and support locally produced honey and bee products,” Biryomumaisho added.
Additional information from the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, 75% of crops that produce seed depend on bees and other pollinators for increased production, yield and quality hence the need for protection.
Ends
